Osteogenic enhancer composition

Abstract

An osteogenic enhancer composition for bone and cartilage repair and methods of using the same are described.

1. A composition comprising N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in an amount effective for enhancing osteoblastic differentiation and a material selected from the group consisting of a collagen gel, collagen sponge, collage membrane, demineralized bone matrix, bone cement, and a cement or scaffold for bone, cartilage or vertebra, wherein the composition is effective for bone or cartilage repair. 
     
     
       2. The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a methacrylate or acrylate based prepolymer. 
     
     
       3. The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
       4. The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the biodegradable polymer is poly(lactic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(hydroxyalkanoate), or polymers or copolymers of a lactone. 
     
     
       5. The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a non-degradable polymer. 
     
     
       6. The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a bioactive agent selected from an adhesion molecule, a bone growth factor, a transforming growth factor (TGF), a transcription factor, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), an insulin like growth factor (IGF), a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a hormone, an anti-inflammatory agent, calcium phosphate, vitamin, an osteogenic cell, an osteoblastic cell, or combinations thereof 
     
     
       7. The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is selected from steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, glucocorticoids, or combinations thereof 
     
     
       8. The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is selected from dexamethasone, betamethasone, cortisone, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       10. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the material is a cement or scaffold for bone, cartilage or vertebra. 
     
     
       11. The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the material is collagen gel, collagen sponge, collagen membrane or bone cement.